The Marriott SpringHill Suites Hotel in Altamonte Springs, Florida, is being investigated as the possible source of a Legionnaires’ disease (LD) outbreak. According to news reports, the Florida Department of Health began the investigation after the CDC notified the department of the illnesses connected to the hotel. Initially there were 2 laboratory-confirmed cases. Now there are 3.

The SpringHill Suites Hotel is located at 205 State Road 436 in Altamonte Springs. The hotel’s pool and spa were temporarily closed at the outset of the investigation, but opened again after an inspection. Health officials have indicated that the hotel is now safe for guests.

Do You Have a Lawsuit Against the Marriott SpringHill Suites Hotel?

All guests who stayed at the hotel between March 25 and April 24, 2015, were sent letters regarding this outbreak. If anyone (guest or not) visited this hotel during this time frame and was sickened, that person may be part of the outbreak and have a right to sue the hotel for compensation.

Legionnaires’ is contracted by breathing in water mist containing Legionella bacteria. The Legionella colonize in one or more lobes of the lungs and cause a severe form of pneumonia that is often fatal. Breathing in only a few cells of the bacteria can cause illness, particularly in older people and those with compromised immune systems. This means even walking by a contaminated fountain at a hotel can cause LD.

Hotels are aware of this risk and are required by law to take measures to prevent Legionella from contaminating water systems. Many hotels hire companies who specialize in this area to maintain their water systems. If this is the case and there is an outbreak, both the owner of the hotel and the maintenance company can be sued for compensation.